Wi-Fi/Fixed integration, RADIUS-Diameter interworking

Service continuity between Wi-Fi, Fixed-Line and Mobile network assets
Subscribers use more and more different devices to access the network that they happen to be on (3G, LTE, Fixed or Wi-Fi). When they go online, users want access to their services whatever the network, device and location, at home, on the way or in the office. Communication service providers are looking for ways to monetize and leverage their existing Fixed-Line network assets by associating them with high growth mobile services.

The ability to connect RADIUS and Diameter network elements allows service providers to enable service continuity scenarios with converged policy control and integrated data bundles. Examples of such converged services are: common charging and subscriber policies across access networks, automatic access to Wi-Fi offload, seamless roaming scenarios between access providers including authentication and accounting of the subscriber, portable security and service assurance amongst others.

RADIUS-Diameter interworking
The wide variety of RADIUS implementations and the fundamental differences between RADIUS and Diameter demand for a comprehensive interworking tool set, rather than a stack based point solution. BroadForward’s BFX provides an extensive set of service logic functions for advanced RADIUS to Diameter interworking scenarios. Users of BFX get sample configuration templates to quickly connect RADIUS based Fixed Line network elements such as Edge Gateways and Wi-Fi Access Gateways with Diameter based Mobile network elements such as PCRF and OCS.
The same RADIUS-Diameter interworking function can be used for “PCRF/OCS offloading”, with BFX tracking usage against pre-set levels, before reporting (aggregated) usage to the PCRF and OCS.

Comprehensive, scalable and high-available solution
By streamlining service scenarios across Fixed and Mobile networks, service providers can offer their subscribers a much improved user experience. Unlike stack based point solutions, BFX’s service logic features, together with the on-board multi-node session database, offer service providers and product vendors a scalable and high-available interworking solution that is unique in the market. Furthermore connectivity scenarios can easily be extended to include other connectivity requirements such as database interaction and message enrichment, involving for instance LDAP or SOAP.

Benefits
Using BFX for RADIUS-Diameter interworking offers many benefits to operators and vendors:

On the fly adaptations to any interface variant, through built-in flexibility to quickly adjust and customize interfaces to specific customer environments. Includes a wide range of mediation and service logic functions;

Operator feedback

“The more I use BFX… the more I am liking it”
“Very good technology, I am impressed”
“Miles ahead of the competition”
“This is the best product, this is the next generation”
“Working with BroadForward is like a breath of fresh air”
“Our management is thrilled about the success of the migration”
“I really, really like your product”
“By far the most advanced and flexible DSC seen so far”
“Truly amazing functionality”
“Enabling DRA function in network in just a few hours”
“Don’t need any scripting”
“Really cool product”
“Winning product”
“Unique capability in our network”
“Amazingly powerful product”
“Designed to provide maximum agility”
“Remarkable new technology”
“You provide the glue”
“Structurally speeds up time-to-market for new services”

Analyst feedback

“BFX rated as Very Strong”
“We see BroadForward winning substantial business”
“This is a radical game changer”
“Solving the Diameter signaling conundrum”
“Central hub for service orchestration”
“It changes the dynamics of the industry”
“Solving pain points for operators that nobody else can solve”
“Well-positioned with their product”
“Designed to help CSPs ease the integration problems they face”
“This not only saves money, but critically speeds time to market”